The “Back Forty” is property commonly found on the outskirts of the Wisconsin family farm. Here uncultivated acres wait prime for adventure- forts, tree houses, rope swings and first kisses! A place to run away, to camp, to climb, to build, to play. Not actually home but not too far away. That’s the Back Forty. The beer you hold is similar both dark and adventurous still smooth and familiar. Here’s a beer you can enjoy without pretense or explanation. Every mind requires some acres of possibility, space for dreams, the great escape, everyone needs a Back Forty.

12 oz bottle: This one pours a clear, dark caramel brown color. There was a bit of a light tan head on it that lingers awhile and leaves a little lacing. The aroma is good. Mainly a caramel malt, but also hints of some fruits, nuts and a hint of roast. The taste is good. Just a hint of sweetness in the caramel malt body. Hints of spices, fruits, and a hint of dryness in the finish. A very nice beer.

Beautiful amber brown color.Head is outstanding, creamy white, lots of lacing and holds its beautiful shape for quite a while.Smells of woody cider notes, hay,apples, soured fruit, touch of lemon, pepper, bread, and sweet malt.Quite a step up from the normal bock, a style that is not anywhere near the top of my list, normally is just too sweet and not well balanced..Once again New Glarus has exceeded expectations.Flavor is bready, spicy, slightly sweet and..just great.Apples, malt, bread, hay, and peppery yeast with a light hop bitterness all come into play.Biscuit, fruits, and spice all harmonize in a near perfect balance of this style.Highly enjoyable..I normally avoid Bock at all costs, this beer is truly an exception. German brewers take note of this one.

Medium dark brown with rust and crimson highlights. A two finger beige-colored head dissipates slowly leaving a pock marked layer of foam and scattered strands of lace.

Bread has a strong showing in the nose with a toasty grain bent backing it up. From there, milder floral and ripe apple notes round it out. Dusty yeast on the peripheries.

The taste is a bit of a let down compared to the aroma. Bread notes are minimized and there is a generic hop twinge that comes across as metallic. Light fruit tones blended in around the edges. Hints of earth and nuts.

The feel is a disappointment. The body is light with a juicy penchant and falls prey to an overactive carbonation.

My overall impression of Back 40 improves over time; swirling out some of the carbonation makes the beer easier to drink and as the beer warms, some of the roughish aspects are lessened.